The physiology of man : designed to represent the existing state of physiological science as applied to the functions of the human body

Front matter

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J

THE

Preface

developments in physiology have been the result of experiments upon living animals, by vivisections or otherwise, or accurate experimental observations upon the human subject. The great extension of this method of study is the cause of the rapid advances the science is making at the present day. For some years the author has been in the habit of employing vivisections in public teaching, and in this way has frequently verified the observations of the earlier as well as the more modern physiologists. A frequent repetition of experiments has often enabled him to reconcile the discordant results of the observations of others ; and following out new questions which have presented themselves in the constant observation of the living organs, he has advanced some original views regarding certain of the functions. A new method is likewise presented for the analysis of the blood with reference to its organic constituents.

The jjlan of publication of the present work is one which is novel in this country, but which has been adopted abroad, particularly in France, in almost all elaborate treatises on physiology. It is to be issued in separate parts, each, however, forming a distinct treatise devoted to natural subdivisions of the subject. The volume now issued embraces an Introduction, the Blood, Circulation, and Kespiration. The remaining volumes, three in number, will be issued yearly until the work is finished, and will likewise be severally complete in themselves. Simple and well-known anatomical and physiological points have not been illustrated by engravings, which have only been introduced where they seemed necessary to elucidate the text.

New Yokk, October, 1865.

INTEODTJOTIOI^".

General considerations— Vital properties of organized structures— Proximate principles— Inorganic principles— Organic non-nitrogenized principles— Organic nitrogenized principles, Page 13

Chapter I. The Blood

General considerations— Transfusion— Quantity— Physical characters— Opacity— Temperature— Specific gravity— Color— Anatomical elements of the blood- Red corpuscles— Chemical characters of red corpuscles— Development of red corpuscles— Formation of red corpuscles— Leucocytes, or white corpuscles- Development of leucocytes, 95

Chapter II. Composition Of The Blood

General considerations— Methods of quantitative analysis— Fibrin— Corpuscles— • Albumen— Inorganic constituents— Sugar— Fatty emulsion— Coloring matter of the serum— Urea and the urates— Cholesterine— Creatine— Creatinine, 127

Chapter III. Coagulation Of The Blood

General considerations-Characters of the clot-Characters of the serum-Coagulating principle in the blood— Circumstances which modify coagulation— Coagulation of the blood in the organism— Spontaneous arrest of hemorrhage- Cause of coagulation of the blood-Summary of the properties and functions of the blood,

Contents

CHAPTER ly.

CIECULATIOIf OF THE BLOOD.

Discovery of the circulation— Physiological anatomy of the heart— Valves Jbf the heart— Movements of the heart— Impulse of the heart — Succession of movements of the heart — Force of the heart — Action of the valves — Sounds of the heart— Cause of the sounds of the heart, .... Page 1 70